Isolagen - Availability, Costs, Treatments?

Question

Is it available in the US ?? What are the side effects and the cost? What skin conditions does it treat?

Aaron Stone, MD · Answer

The Isolagen company was founded in Pennsylvania in 1995. In the Isolagen process a biopsy of the patient's skin is cultured to produce more fibroblast cells. These cells are then injected back into the patient where they are supposed to produce more collagen. It is this collagen that is expected to efface wrinkles, rejuvenate the skin etc. Limited subject studies showed the injections worked and were safe. It is still unclear how long the injection lasts or if it is permanent. Isolagen requires several procedures and comes at a high cost. Therapies like this that are based on the patients' own cells can be more complicated and expensive to administer than those that come in one-dose-fits-all vials or pre-loaded syringes. In 2006 a class action lawsuit was filed against the company charging that Isolagen and certain of its officers and directors disseminated false and misleading information to investors. The company declared bankruptcy in 2009 after which it was delisted from the stock exchange and became Fibrocell Science listed on the NASDAQ bulletin board. I think they are still undergoing FDA trials.

	My response to your question/post does not represent formal medical advice or constitute a doctor patient relationship. You need to consult with i.e. personally see a board certified plastic surgeon in order to receive a formal evaluation and develop a doctor patient relationship.

Sheldon S. Kabaker, MD FACS (retired) · Answer

I am not sure of the present status of Isologen. I would suggest contacting the office of Dr. Theodore Staahl in Modesto, Ca. Dr. Staahl has  been involved with the development of this product for many years.

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